Tag: parts

Most Bikers know how to get inexpensive bike components online for less. Sometimes less than the local shop buys them. There’s a lot confusion and a little panic in the industry about it.

I see parts online at a lower cost than Most shops can get wholesale. There are some suppliers that are really hurting the shops ability to sell parts at a reasonable price to you. It’s a common point of conversation in the bike industry. Unfortunately it has caused what I hope is a small percentage of shop folks, to be a little salty about it.

Here’s the thing, you may be able to get bike parts online at a better price, but getting those components installed correctly and truly working properly can be a challenge for the average cyclist.

If your local shop is on there game, they should welcome you and be glad you chose them to install the parts for you. Qualified shops will have a labor charge that’s designed to help cover there expenses. Qualified shops have certified mechanics that make it fast and easy to make them work correctly. They have the right tools, and they have done the job hundreds of times. They know you can get that part for less then they can, and would probably do the same if it was their car, computer, or appliance.

Let’s all just be honest with ourselves, we want a deal, and we want to save money. Things often look easier than they are and we will need to seek professionals. We know it, they know it. Let’s all just own it and stop acting like its an assault on our personal ethics to seek help or install a part that we didn’t make a margin on.

We are all just people who need our stuff to work, and want to enjoy our bikes.

Go to your local bike shop, have an honest conversation and get to know each other. If they treat you like you are robbing them, maybe the other shop in town is the one to talk to.